FEB 2011

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

SCHEME OF PRESENTATION
Session-1 : Understanding Islam
The origins of Islam

Basic facts about Islam

Basic beliefs Five pillars (central Duties)

SCHEME OF PRESENTATION

Session-2 : A Critique of Islam

Islam & Christianity points of tension Facing the charge of corruption

Ten questions for conversation

Genesis 16: 11-12

11 12 The angel of the LORD said to her further, "Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son; And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction. "He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand {will be} against everyone, And everyone's hand {will be} against him; And he will live to the east of all his brothers."

Origins of the Arabs

Abraham

Ishmael
Hagar Wild / against all

Isaac
Sarah

Esau
Edom 1st born

Jacob
Israel 2nd born

ARABS

EDOMITES

ISRAEL

HOW DID IT BEGIN ?

Long before the founding of Islam, in what was known as the Days of Ignorance, the Arabs lost faith in the one true God, whom their forefathers Ishmael, Esau, and the sons of Keturah knew. They degenerated into polytheism and worshiped holy rocks and trees. These objects were not deemed sacred because they were in themselves so, but because it was believed they were indwelt by spirit beings called jinn's.-

Mecca
Mecca was on an Arabian caravan trade route. Virtually everything Mohammad included in the Koran and the Muslim religion can be traced to existing traditions of that time and place.

Mecca
Mecca, with the Kabbah, the sacred Zamzam Well and the presence of the highest deities, became the religious vortex of the Arabian Peninsula. Arabs from all over began to come on pilgrimages to Mecca long before Mohammad

The Mecca Pilgrimage

Meccas greatest significance came from being the site of the special religious alter known as the Kabah. It is a 50-foot cubic structure of gray stone and marble. Positioned that its corners correspond with the four points of the compass, the Kabah contained 360 idols one for each of the lunar calendar days. The cornerstone of the Kabah was the sacred Black Stone. It is a meteorite of very ancient origin. It was and is believed to have a power to absorb sin from the one who kisses it. Arabs believe that the Black Stone is a god who protects their tribes.

The Arab Pantheon

Uzza

Allat

Allah
Manat

Hubal

5 of the most important gods from the Arab pantheon were Uzza, Allat, Manat, and Hubal. The first three were female, which formed a trithestic relationship. Hubal was a male Moon deity believed to have originated in Babylon. Hubal is believed to be the guardian of the Kabbah.The star is believed to represent Uzza, the Morning Star goddess. The fifth and highest of all deities was called Allah. He was worshiped as the supreme creator as well as the father of the tri-theistic female goddesses.

WORLD MUSLIMS

1.57 billion (2009), Muslims represent 23% of the world's population. One of every four humans in the world is a Muslim. 62% Muslims live in Asia Second largest religion in the world Fastest growing including Europe and America

Islam means. Submission Surrender

ISLAM: AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING SYSTEM

Socio-political Socio-religious Socio-economic Socio-educational Legislative system Judicial system Military system

COMPLETE SYSTEM
Islam Theology Politics

Religion

State

Complete system

LIFE AND RELIGION IN ISLAM

Life
Religion
Non-Islamic World-view

Religion
Life
Islamic World-view

CONSTITUTIONAL COMPONENTS OF ISLAM

Mohammed Allah

Sunnah

Koran

Islam

ALLAH
Allah

is the Arabic name for God used by Muslims of the world as well as Arab Christians. Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him. (The Quran, Surah 112)

MOHAMMED.
Descendant of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham. Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 C.E. Received first revelation at the age 40 through angel Gabriel. Died in the year 632 C.E, after preaching Islam for 23 years.

 How did an orphan become the greatest Arab leader of all time? How could an illiterate man become the author of a book that is the pinnacle of classic Arabic the most beautiful and majestic of all Arabic literature? How is it possible one who was , as a child thought to be either insane or demon-possessed, become the founder of the second largest religion on earth?

How did a man who was admittedly both violent and sensual become one of the most revered religious leaders in history? apart from the working of supernatural forces, it is impossible to explain him.
- Hal Lindsey p. 97

SUNNAH

Sunnah (Arabic) means to form, to shape, to mold, to set, a path. Sunnahs are the example of the prophet Muhammad Quran is a framework, but atleast 80% of a Muslims life is based on Sunnah.

SUNNAH = SIRA + HADITH The Sunna in two texts:

The Sira is the biography of Mohammed The Hadith is the collection of small stories, traditions about Mohammed.

THE KORAN
Quran has come to perfect the Bible by adding to it. Composed of 114 suras (chapters) Written in Arabic which is intrinsically part of the revelation ( all translations are therefore commentaries not text) 23 Years of Revelations (610 - 632 C.E.)

The Natural Division of the Koran

The early Koran (written in Mecca) is more religious and poetic. The later Koran (written in Medina) is more historical and political.

THE TRILOGY : KORAN + SIRA + HADITH

GROWTH OF ISLAM AS A POLITICAL SYSTEM

JIHAD A HOT POTATOE

RIGID MONOTHEISM

One God Allah (Arabic name for God) He is one person(absolutely singular) No plurality within Gods unity Denial of unity- unpardonable sin (Surah 4:48)

GOD-PROPHET-BOOKS
To
be a Muslim it is necessary to believe not only in God, in life hereinafter, in the prophets and in the books of God
Alhaj A D Ajijola, The Essence of Faith in Islam P71

FOUR BOOKS Islam believes in 4 major books revealed by God through his messengers Torah (the law given to Moses) Zabur (Psalms of David) Injil(Gospels) Koran

PROPHETS
According to Islam Allah conveys his message to humankind through prophets
Koran mentions 28 prophets

THE LAST DAY

Day of final judgment 14% of the koran emphasizes it. Two alternatives : The bliss of the garden Torment of fire.

HEAVEN IN ISLAM
A place where believers find whatever their hearts desire 37:48 young women as companions 37: 45-47 : Abundance of food and drink 52:24, 56:17, 74:19 : ornaments, silk and embroidery. The only way for a Muslim to assure he will go to heaven is to become a martyr where upon reaching heaven, he will receive 72 virgins. (70 new ones / and 2 of his previous wives)

HELL IN ISLAM
a fierce blast of fire and boiling water, and in the shades of black smoke 5:4243 When they are cast therein, they will hear the terrible drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth, almost bursting with fury 67: 7-8

TWO SPHERES OF EARTH IN ISLAM:

Dar al-Islam the land of peace.

Dar al-harb the land of war.
Once a land is conquered in the name of Islam, it is to always belong to them. If lost, it is every Muslims duty to fight until that land is regained.

SUNNIS AND SHIITES

Muhammads sudden death in A.D. 632 caused problems for Islam. There was no plan of succession and he had no male heir.
As a result, the Shiite and Sunni sects were born.

SUNNI (IRAQ)
Sunni Islam is the largest denomination
of Islam. According to Sunni thought, Muhammad died without appointing a successor to lead the Muslim community. After an initial period of confusion, a group of his most prominent companions gathered and elected Abu Bakr, the Prophet's close friend and father-in-law, as the first Caliph.

SHI'A (IRAN)
Shi'a Islam is the denomination of Islam. second largest

Shi'a Muslims believe that Ali was appointed by Muhammad to be the direct successor and leader of the Muslims. They regard him as the first Imam, which continued as a hereditary position.

SHARIAH
Islamic law consisting of the teachings of the Quran, the sunna of the prophet which is incorporated in the recognized traditions and the general agreement of the scholars of the orthodox community.

The 5 Pillars of Islam

1. Shahadah

This affirms that God is the only God, and Muhammad is his messenger There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.

Salat

Performing set prayers in the direction of Makkah 5 times a day,prior to the prayers Muslims must ceremonially wash themselves (wadu).The prayers are at specific times of the day and have specific postures which Muslims have to undertake. The prayers are in Arabic.

Sawn:
Fasting each day during the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. A Muslim during Ramadan is not allowed to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. They are allowed to eat and drink during the night.

Zakat
Giving alms to the poor, a compulsory percentage of income (2.5%) is given to the poor, this is either given to the Imam at the Mosque or can be handed over to a specific charity by the individual.

Hajj
Making a pilgrimage to Makkah at least once during a Muslims lifetime, if physically able. Makkah is the most holy place for Muslims and contains the Kabbah first built in tradition by Abraham.

Surah 6.102, 106

Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth! HOW COULD HE HAVE A SON when he has no consort . . . Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; THERE IS NO GOD BUT HE; and withdraw from the polytheists [I.e., Christians]. There is no god worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is His messenger(The First Pillar of Islam) Gal 1:8 9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! - The Apostle Paul

THANK YOU